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About this project

Rick and I won the Xeric Grant in September 2004 for publishing the first issue of THE BRONTES: INFERNAL ANGRIA. Early in 2005, we published issue one with the idea in mind that we would work on individual issues and publish to keep the costs down with an eventual trade collection to follow.

Of the original Issue #1, Rebecca Salek of Sequential Tart wrote "The four Bronte siblings
did indeed invent the land of Angria, writing stories and plays
to entertain themselves. McKenney and Geary take this interesting
literary tidbit and give it a fantastical twist: suppose Angria
were a real place?
The results are wonderful. It's no wonder the Xeric Foundation
gave them a grant to publish their little gem."

Many life things happened since then: primarily, I started (and finished) my PhD. However, the publishing costs of individual comics/ independent comics skyrocketed, distribution quotas jumped exponentially...the business side of things really made finishing the book a hurdle.

Now, with Kickstarter, I'd like to finish the project that we started ten years ago because a) I don't like to leave things unfinished and b) this has always been a dream project of mine, a dream that remains only 1/3 completed. With your help, the total package will finally see the light of day! All funds raised will go to paying for the art to be completed. Anything beyond the initial goal of this campaign will go into the printing costs of the book.

Praise for past Headless Shakespeare Press projects that will give you a sense of the kind of project I put together:

Stalagmite #1

"Stalagmite definitely isn’t for the comic readers who are only
interested in blood, explosions, and breasts, because they would
actually have to think when reading these stories. Comic books don’t all
have to be about super-powered, spandex-wearing heroes, nor have
half-naked, gargantuan-breasted women. Nor do comics need to shock its
readers with violence, gore, or grotesque images. Instead, comics such
as Stalagmite can shock us with their ability to tell stories in new, refreshing, and strange ways." / Ryan Brown, PopMatters

The Magic If

"The
Magic If is a
perfect example of how the single issue can still be used to tell a deep and
engaging story […]. There's a lovely subtlety to McKenney's writing, as he
knows that sometimes a fight is less about what seems to be upsetting someone
(Wynter's obsession with Blaine Danvers) and more about what is unspoken."/ Randy Lander

"I have to give Craig McKenney credit: after assuming I knew exactly where The Magic If was going, there were just enough little surprises to keep me interested [...]. When you strip away the illusions here you’re left with a solid core with real substance." / Greg McElhatton

"Writer Craig McKenney's sweet tale belies the kind of serious questions
about art, life and magic that both Houdini and David Blaine have
inspired. Artist Gervasio, assisted by Estudio Haus, employs a clean
line-inspired style that uses brushstroke and texture to great
advantage. The effect is one of a storm beneath the calm. The Magic If is a quiet charmer with more than a few tricks up its sleeve." / Suzette Chan, Sequential Tart

Risks and challenges

We need enough funding to cover artwork (the minimum), but we also need enough to print the book. That is a MAJOR challenge/ obstacle.

This is also pending Rick's schedule and when he can fit the last two issues in in terms of completion of project (tentatively set at January 2015).

FAQ

Rewards

$1 reward

Your name -- in the book! -- as a thank you for helping support the project.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

$20 reward

19 backers

1) Your name -- in the book! -- as a thank you for helping support the project.
2) A signed copy of the graphic novel when it is printed.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

$100 reward

0 backers

1) Your name -- in the book! -- as a thank you for helping support the project.
2) A signed copy of the graphic novel when it is printed.
3) A limited edition print of art from the project.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

$250 reward

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

1) Your name -- in the book! -- as a thank you for helping support the project.
2) A signed copy of the graphic novel when it is printed.
3) A limited edition print of art from the project
4) Your likeness in the comic...you'll guest star in the comic as a background character!

Estimated delivery:Jan 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Apr 8, 2014 - Jun 1, 2014
(53 days)

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